Tire used in winter

ABSTRACT

A central vertical groove  3  extends on a tire equator C, and rib portions  6   a  and  6   b  having sipes S are formed on the opposite sides of the central vertical groove  3.  In a groove edge line  3 E of said central vertical groove  3,  reference pitches P each comprises a main portion  3   a  extending from an outermost origin N 1  in a tire axial direction to a terminal end N 2  closest to the tire equator, and an auxiliary portion  3   b  having a length in the tire circumferential direction smaller than that of the main portion  3   a  and passing through said origin N 1  from said terminal end N 2,  and the reference pitches P are repeated in the tire circumferential direction into a zigzag shape. A tire circumferential direction length of the main portion  3   a  is 60% or more of a tire circumferential direction length of the reference pitch P.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a winter tire capable of enhancing driving-in-snow performance.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In the case of a pneumatic tire used on a snow road and a frozen road in winter (“winter tire”, hereinafter), emphasis is laid on the driving performance on an especially slippery frozen road. More specifically, there is employed a method in which a land ratio of a tread surface is increased to increase a ground-contact area, or a method in which a tread central portion having long ground-contact length in a tire circumferential direction is formed with a rib-like land on which a sipe is disposed. In any of the methods, however, the driving-in-snow performance, especially the driving performance on a deep snow road is prone to be deteriorated.

[0003] The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-mentioned problem, and it is an object of the invention to provide a winter tire capable of preventing the driving performance on a frozen road from being deteriorated, and capable of enhancing the driving-in-snow performance, especially the driving performance on a deep snow road.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Claim 1 of the present application provides a winter tire wherein a tread surface is provided with a central vertical groove continuously extending on a tire equator in a tire circumferential direction, the central vertical groove is formed at its opposite sides with rib portions having sipes and continuously extending substantially in the tire circumferential direction,

[0005] opposite side groove edge lines in which groove wall surfaces on opposite sides of the central vertical groove intersect with a tread surface includes inclining component which inclines with respect to the tire circumferential direction,

[0006] reference pitches comprising

[0007] main portions extending from an origin which is at outermost side in the tire axial direction to a terminal end which is closest to the tire equator, and

[0008] auxiliary portions having a length in the tire circumferential direction which is shorter than that of the main portion and extending from the terminal end on a line in the tire circumferential direction passing through the origin are repeatedly formed, and

[0009] a length of the main portion in the tire circumferential direction is 60% or higher than a length of the reference pitch in the tire circumferential direction.

[0010] In claim 2, the auxiliary portion only comprises an axial direction component which extends in the tire axial direction so that the groove edge line has a saw-tooth shape.

[0011] In claim 3, in opposite side the groove edge lines, the tire circumferential direction lengths of the reference pitches are the same, and the main portions are inclined in the same direction, phase of the reference pitch is deviated in position in the tire circumferential direction,

[0012] groove width wide portions formed between auxiliary portions which are opposed to each other in the tire circumferential direction on the opposite sides of the tire equator, and

[0013] groove width narrow portions formed between the main portions on the opposite sides of the tire equator are alternately repeated in the tire circumferential direction,

[0014] a minimum groove width of the groove width narrow portion is 2 to 7% of a nominal width of the tire.

[0015] In claim 4, in opposite side the groove edge lines, the tire circumferential direction lengths of the reference pitches are the same, and the main portions are inclined in the same direction, phase of the reference pitch is deviated in position in the tire circumferential direction,

[0016] groove width wide portions formed between auxiliary portions which are opposed to each other in the tire circumferential direction on the opposite sides of the tire equator, and

[0017] groove width narrow portions formed between the main portions on the opposite sides of the tire equator are alternately repeated in the tire circumferential direction,

[0018] a maximum groove width of the groove width wide portion is 1.5 to 2.5 times of a minimum groove width of the groove width narrow portion.

[0019] In claim 5, a length of the groove width wide portion in the tire circumferential direction is 0.2 to 0.7 times of a length of the reference pitch in the tire circumferential direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a development view of a tread pattern of a winter tire showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIGS. 2(A) and (B) are partially enlarged views showing other embodiments of a rib portion.

[0022] FIGS. 3(A) and (B) are sectional views for explaining a groove edge line.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a development view of a tread pattern of the winter tire showing another embodiment of the invention.

[0024]FIG. 5 is a development view of the tread pattern of the winter tire showing further another embodiment of the invention.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a development view of the tread pattern of the winter tire showing further another embodiment of the invention.

[0026]FIG. 7 is a development view of the tread pattern of the winter tire showing further another embodiment of the invention.

[0027]FIG. 8 is a development view of the tread pattern of the winter tire showing further another embodiment of the invention.

[0028]FIG. 9 is a development view of the tread patterns of tires of comparative examples 1 and 2.

[0029]FIG. 10 is a development view of the tread pattern of a tire of a comparative example 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0030] An embodiment of the present invention will be explained below based on the drawings.

[0031]FIG. 1 is a development view of a tread surface of a winter tire (simply “tire” in some cases hereinafter) of this embodiment. A tread surface 2 is formed with a central vertical groove 3 which continuously extends on a tire equator C in a tire circumferential direction. Inner vertical grooves 4 and 4 and outer vertical grooves 5 and 5 are formed on opposite outer sides of the central vertical groove 3.

[0032] In this example, rib portions 6 a and 6 b which have sipes S . . . and which continuously extend substantially in the tire circumferential direction are formed between the central vertical groove 3 and the inner vertical grooves 4 and 4, respectively. The expression that the rib portions 6 a and 6 b are continuous substantially in the tire circumferential direction includes, as shown in FIG. 2, a case (FIG. 2A) in which the land is completely divided by a thin groove G1 having a groove width of 3 mm or less which does not substantially hinder the continuity of the land, and a case (FIG. 2B) in which a thin groove G2 which is terminated before it divides the land is provided.

[0033] Such rib portions 6 a and 6 b can secure ground-contact area in wide range in the tire circumferential direction in a central portion of a tread surface whose ground-contact length is increased. This is of use in enhancing the driving performance on a frozen road. A width of each of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b in the tire axial direction is 0.05 to 0.2 times of a nominal width of the tire for example, and more preferably about 0.07 to 0.16 times. The width of each of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b is varied in the tire circumferential direction in some cases, and in such a case, its average width is employed. Here, “nominal width of tire” means 195 mm when a tire size is declared as “195/65R15”. Block lines 7 and 9 comprising blocks b which are divided by lateral grooves 10 are formed on outer sides of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b, and they are not especially limited to this embodiment.

[0034] In the tire 1 of this embodiment, in order to enhance the driving performance on both the frozen road and snow road, a land ratio is set to 0.65 or higher, more preferably about 0.65 to 0.75. The land ratio is a ratio of a total area of a land portion (block, rib portion) to a total area of ground-contact region (tread ground-contact width x tire average circumferential length). If the land ratio is less than 0.65, a groove area is increased and this is advantageous for the driving performance on snow road, but a friction force on the frozen road becomes small, and the driving performance is prone to be deteriorated. If the land ratio exceeds 0.75 on the other hand, the land area is increased, this is advantageous for the driving performance on the frozen road, but the driving performance on the snow road is prone to be deteriorated.

[0035] In this example, the sipe S includes component in the tire axial direction. For example, sipe having a bent portion which is bent in a corrugated or zigzag shape is preferable because edge effect can be enhanced most and the driving performance on the frozen road can be enhanced. In this example, not only the rib portions 6 a and 6 b, but also the block b is also formed with the sipe S. A pitch of the sipe S in the tire circumferential direction is not especially limited, but about 3.5 to 7.0 mm is preferable for example. It is preferable that sipe pitches L1 of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b in which ground-contact pressure is increased is set to a value smaller than a sipe pitch L2 of the block b, more preferably, a ratio (L2/L1) is set to 1.1 to 1.2, and when rigidities of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b are lowered, balance with respect to rigidity of the block b in the circumferential direction is enhanced, and this is advantageous for deviated wear.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3(A), a groove edge line 3E in which groove wall surfaces Ga and Ga on opposite sides of the central vertical groove 3 intersect with a tread surface 2 a includes inclining component which inclines with respect to the tire circumferential direction, reference pitches P comprising main portions 3 a extending from an origin N1 which is at outermost side in the tire axial direction to a terminal end N2 which is closest to the tire equator C, and auxiliary portions 3 b having a length in the tire circumferential direction which is shorter than that of the main portion 3 a and extending from the terminal end N2 on a line F in the tire circumferential direction passing through the origin N1 are repeatedly formed, and a length La of the main portion 3 a in the tire circumferential direction is 60% or higher than a length Pa of the reference pitch P in the tire circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 3(B), when the tread surface 2 a and the groove wall surface Ga intersect with each other through an arc portion R, the groove edge line 3E is specified at an intermediate position of the arc.

[0037] Generally, behavior of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b in which a ground-contact pressure of the tread surface 2 is high and ground-contact length becomes great is largely pertinent to initial response when a steering wheel of a vehicle is turned (slip angle is applied to a tire). On a dry asphalt road surface having relatively high coefficient of friction μ, the rib portions 6 a and 6 b are twisted between themselves and the road surface by the slip angle, and a lateral force for restoring the twist by resiliency is generated, and the initial response is enhanced.

[0038] On the other hand, on a road surface such as snow road or frozen road having low coefficient of friction μ, since friction force between the road surface and the rib portions 6 a and 6 b is small, if rigidity of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b is great, when the slip angle is applied, slip is caused before the rib portions 6 a and 6 b are sufficiently twisted and deformed, and initial response is rather deteriorated. Thereupon, in the present invention, the reference pitch P of the central vertical groove 3 is constructed as described above, and the rib portions 6 a and 6 b are provided with sipes S, and based on the above-mentioned structure, the rigidity of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b is lowered appropriately in accordance with ice road, and the initial response at the time of operation of the steering wheel on the snow road or frozen road can be enhanced.

[0039] The main portion 3 a comprises only the inclining component which inclines with respect to the tire circumferential direction in this example. The origin N1 of the main portion is located at outermost side in the tire axial direction, and the terminal end N2 is located closest to the tire equator. A shape of the main portion 3 a is not limited only if the main portion 3 a includes an inclining component which inclines with respect to the tire circumferential direction, and includes the origin N1 and terminal end N2. When the main portion 3 a is straight as in this example, an inclining angle α with respect to the tire circumferential direction is not especially limited, but it is preferable that the angle is set to about 5 to 20°, more preferably 10 to 15°. When the main portion 3 a is not straight, it is preferable that a straight line connecting the origin N1 and the terminal end N2 is set to the above-mentioned angle α. If the angle α of the main portion 3 a is less than 5°, the rigidity of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b is prone to be great, and the initial response at the time of turning on the ice road is prone to be deteriorated. If the angle exceeds 20° on the contrary, the rigidity of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b is prone to be excessively lower, and there is an adverse possibility that deviated friction is generated or steering stability is deteriorated.

[0040] The auxiliary portion 3 b has a length in the tire circumferential direction smaller than that of the main portion 3 a, and extends on the line F in the tire circumferential direction from the terminal end N2 passing through the origin N1. The auxiliary portion 3 b in this example comprises only the axial direction component extending along the tire axial direction. Therefore, the auxiliary portion 3 b does not have component in the tire circumferential direction substantially. The auxiliary portion 3 b may be constituted by various straight lines, curves or combination thereof only if the auxiliary portion 3 b extends on the line F in the tire circumferential direction from the terminal end N2 passing through the origin N1. A length of the auxiliary portion 3 b in the tire axial direction is substantially equal to a length of the axial direction component of the main portion 3 a. With this design, the groove edge line 3E in this embodiment is formed into a so-called sawtooth-like shape when the entire groove edge line 3E is viewed, and this can optimize the rigidity of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b. It is of course possible that the outer edges of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b in the tire axial direction can be constituted by not only the illustrated straight lines, but also various shapes.

[0041] In the present invention, a tire circumferential direction length La of the main portion 3 a is limited to 60% or higher of a tire circumferential direction length Pa of the reference pitch P, but more preferably 80% or higher, and more preferably 100%, and in this embodiment, the tire circumferential direction length La is substantially 100%. If the tire circumferential direction length La of the main portion 3 a is less than 60% of the tire circumferential direction length Pa of the reference pitch P, rigidity variation of the rib portions 6 a and 6 b on a road surface having low coefficient of friction is increased, torsion deformation is deteriorated, and adhesion of the tread surface with respect to a road surface is deteriorated.

[0042] In this embodiment, in the groove edge lines 3E and 3E on the right and left sides of the central vertical groove 3, the tire circumferential direction lengths Pa of the reference pitch P are the same, and the main portions 3 a are inclined in the same direction, i.e., the tire circumferential direction, and phase of the reference pitch P is deviated in position in the tire circumferential direction. With this design, in the central vertical groove 3, groove width wide portions 12 formed between auxiliary portions 3 b and 3 b which are opposed to each other in the tire circumferential direction on the opposite sides of the tire equator C, and groove width narrow portions 13 formed between the main portions 3 a and 3 a on the opposite sides of the tire equator C are alternately repeated in the tire circumferential direction.

[0043] When running on a snow road, such a central vertical groove 3 can form a large snow column by pushing and treading snow in the groove width wide portion 12, and the vehicle can run while shearing the snow column by the auxiliary portion 3 b. At that time, the greater the snow column is, the greater the shear force becomes. Therefore, according to the tire of the embodiment, driving force and braking force on the snow road can be increased. If the tire circumferential direction length La of the main portion 3 a is less than 60% of the tire circumferential direction length of the reference pitch P, there is a tendency that a difference of snow columns formed by the groove width wide portion 12 and narrow portion 13 becomes small, and great snow column shear effect can not be obtained.

[0044] A minimum groove width W2 of the groove width narrow portion 13 is not especially limited, but it is preferable that the minimum groove width W2 is 2 to 7% of the nominal width of the tire, and more preferably 3 to 5%. If the minimum groove width W2 of the groove width narrow portion 13 is less then 2% of the nominal width of the tire, it is difficult to form the snow column for enhancing the driving performance in the groove width narrow portion 13, and there is a tendency that this does not contribute to the enhancement of the driving force. If the minimum groove width W2 of the groove width narrow portion 13 exceeds 7% of the nominal width of the tire, there is an inconvenience that since the land ratio becomes small, the driving performance on a frozen road is prone to be deteriorated. In the central vertical groove 3, since the groove width of the groove width narrow portion 13 is small, it is most difficult to form the snow column, but by limiting the groove width of this portion, it is possible to enhance the driving force on the snow road more effectively.

[0045] Further, maximum groove width W1 of the groove width wide portion 12 is not especially limited either, but in order to form a large snow column and to obtain the driving force on the snow road effectively, it is preferable that the maximum groove width W1 is 1.5 to 2.5 times of the minimum groove width W2 of the groove width narrow portion 13, and more preferably 1.8 to 2.2 times. A length K of the groove width wide portion 12 in the tire circumferential direction is equal to a deviation amount in phase of the reference pitch P in the opposite side groove edge lines 3E and 3E. From the above-mentioned view point, it is preferable that the length K is 20 to 70% of the tire circumferential direction length La of the reference pitch P, more preferably 20 to 40%. A groove depth of the central vertical groove 3 is not especially limited, but it is preferable that the depth is about 8 to 12 mm, more preferably about 9 to 11 mm.

[0046] It is preferable that the tire circumferential direction length La of the reference pitch P is set such that 50 or more groove width wide portions 12 are formed on one round of the tire 1, or three or more reference pitches P exist in each groove edge line 3E in the ground-contact surface of the tire.

[0047]FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention.

[0048] In this example, the main portion 3 a comprises an inclining component 3 a 1 which is extended straightly with respect to the tire circumferential direction from the origin N1 and is inclined, and a circumferential direction component 3 a 2 which is extended from the other end of the inclining component 3 a 1 to the terminal end N2 along the tire circumferential direction. When a portion of the groove edge line 3E which is closest to the tire equator is continuously in the tire circumferential direction, the terminal end N2 is a point which is furthest from the origin N1. In this manner, the main portion 3 a can comprise two or more components having different angle with respect to the tire circumferential direction.

[0049]FIG. 5 shows further another embodiment of the invention. In this example, the reference pitch P comprises an inclining component in which the auxiliary portion 3 b is directed to opposite direction from the main portion 3 a and inclined with respect to any of the tire axial direction and the tire circumferential direction.

[0050]FIG. 6 shows further another embodiment of the invention. In this example, the main portion 3 a and the auxiliary portion 3 b comprise arc curves in the groove edge line 3E.

[0051]FIGS. 7 and 8 show further other embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 7, inclinations of the main portions 3 a of the left and right groove edge lines 3E ane 3E are opposite. In FIG. 8, tire circumferential direction lengths of the reference pitches P in the left and right groove edge lines 3E and 3E are different.

[0052] (Embodiment)

[0053] Winter tires having tire size of 195/65R14 were prototyped in accordance with spec (structures are common except pattern) shown in Table 1, and the tires were mounted to all wheels of a Japanese FR passenger car having piston displacement of 2000 cc, and running test was carried out on a snow circuit test course. Test was carried out concerning starting, state of acceleration, braking state, response at the time of cornering, and running performance through the whole distance in deep snow with 10 point scoring by a driver's sensory evaluation. A rim used was 6·1/2JJ and an internal pressure was 200 kPa.

[0054] Tires of the embodiments 1 to 3 respectively employ patterns shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. Tires of comparative examples 1 to 3 respectively employ patterns shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Results of the test are shown in Table. 1. TABLE 1 (Tire size 195/65R15) Comparative Comparative Comparative Embodiment Embodiment Embodiment example 1 example 2 example 3 1 2 3 Figure showing pattern Angle with respect to tire — — 20 15 18.0 18 circumferential direction of main portion [°] Length of main portion in tire — — 33 33 33 28 circumferential direction [mm] Angle with respect to tire — — −20 90 90 50 circumferential direction of auxiliary portion [°] Length of auxiliary portion in tire — — 33 0 0 5 circumferential direction [mm] Ratio (La/Pa) [%] — — 50 100 85 85 Groove width W2 of narrow groove width 15 22 18 12 10 12 portion [mm] Groove width W1 of wide groove width 15 22 18 20 20 22 portion [mm] Length of wide groove width portion in 0 0 0 12 12 17 tire circumferential direction [mm] Ratio (K/Pa) [%] 0 0 0 36 36 52 Results Start, acceleration 6 6 6 7 7 7 of test performance Braking performance 6 6 6 7 7 7 Response at the time of 6 6 7 7 7 7 cornering Running performance 6 7 6 7 7 7 through whole distance in deep snow

[0055] As a result of the test, it could be confirmed that the tires of the embodiments 1 to 3 are more excellent than tires of the comparative examples. Next, based on the tire of the embodiment 1, tires whose minimum groove widths of the groove width narrow portions were variously changed were prototyped, and the same test was carried out. Results of the test are shown in Table 2. TABLE 2 (Tire size 195/65R15) Embodiment Embodiment Embodiment Embodiment Embodiment Embodiment 1 4 5 6 7 8 Ratio (groove width (mm) of 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 narrow width portion)/nominal width (mm) of tire) [%] Results Start, acceleration 7 7 7 7 7 7 of test performance Braking performance 7 7 7 7 7 7 Response at the time 7 7 7 7 7 7 of cornering Running performance 6 6 7 7 8 8 through whole distance in deep snow

[0056] As explained above, according to a pneumatic tire of the present invention, rib portions having sipes and continuously extending substantially in a tire circumferential direction are formed on opposite sides of a central vertical groove which continuously extends on a tire equator in the tire circumferential direction. Such a rib portion can form a contact portion which is long in the tire circumferential direction in a tread surface central portion having high ground-contact pressure, and driving performance on a frozen road can be maintained. Further, by limiting the shape of the groove edge line of the central vertical groove, it is possible to appropriately lower the rigidity of the rib portion on an ice road, and even when slip angle is given, following ability with respect to torsion deformation between the tire and the road surface is enhanced, and it is possible to prevent early slip.

[0057] Further, like the invention of claim 2, when the auxiliary portion comprises only an axial direction component extending in the tire axial direction, the groove edge line has a sawtooth-like shape, and the above effect can further be enhanced.

[0058] Further, like the invention of any one of claims 3 to 5, the central vertical groove comprises groove width wide portions and groove width narrow portions which are alternately provided in the tire circumferential direction. Therefore, it is possible to push and tread the snow in the groove width wide portion to form a large snow column when running on a snow road, and a vehicle runs while shearing the column by the groove width narrow portion or the like and as a result, it is possible to increase the driving force on the snow road.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0059] As described above, a tire of the present invention is capable of preventing the driving performance on a frozen road from being deteriorated, and capable of enhancing the driving-in-snow performance, especially the driving performance on a deep snow road, and the tire can be preferably used as a winter tire used on an ice road. 

1. A winter tire wherein a tread surface is provided with a central vertical groove continuously extending on a tire equator in a tire circumferential direction, the central vertical groove is formed at its opposite sides with rib portions having sipes and continuously extending substantially in the tire circumferential direction, opposite side groove edge lines in which groove wall surfaces on opposite sides of said central vertical groove intersect with a tread surface includes inclining component which inclines with respect to the tire circumferential direction, reference pitches comprising main portions extending from an origin which is at outermost side in the tire axial direction to a terminal end which is closest to the tire equator, and auxiliary portions having a length in the tire circumferential direction which is shorter than that of said main portion and extending from said terminal end on a line in the tire circumferential direction passing through said origin are repeatedly formed, and a length of said main portion in the tire circumferential direction is 60% or higher than a length of said reference pitch in the tire circumferential direction.
 2. A winter tire according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary portion only comprises an axial direction component which extends in the tire axial direction so that said groove edge line has a saw-tooth shape.
 3. A winter tire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in opposite side said groove edge lines, the tire circumferential direction lengths of the reference pitches are the same, and said main portions are inclined in the same direction, phase of said reference pitch is deviated in position in the tire circumferential direction, groove width wide portions formed between auxiliary portions which are opposed to each other in the tire circumferential direction on the opposite sides of the tire equator, and groove width narrow portions formed between said main portions on the opposite sides of the tire equator are alternately repeated in the tire circumferential direction, a minimum groove width of said groove width narrow portion is 2 to 7% of a nominal width of the tire.
 4. A winter tire according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in opposite side said groove edge lines, the tire circumferential direction lengths of the reference pitches are the same, and said main portions are inclined in the same direction, phase of said reference pitch is deviated in position in the tire circumferential direction, groove width wide portions formed between auxiliary portions which are opposed to each other in the tire circumferential direction on the opposite sides of the tire equator, and groove width narrow portions formed between said main portions on the opposite sides of the tire equator are alternately repeated in the tire circumferential direction, a maximum groove width of said groove width wide portion is 1.5 to 2.5 times of a minimum groove width of said groove width narrow portion.
 5. A winter tire according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a length of said groove width wide portion in the tire circumferential direction is 0.2 to 0.7 times of a length of said reference pitch in the tire circumferential direction. 